DON’T LET GO!

I met with a colleague and he reminded me about the importance of always having a mentor active in your business life. He shared a story about two separate clients that he worked with for the past year. As he put it, “they were on a roll”. After twelve months of weekly meetings (action and accountability meetings) the two owners decided that they no longer needed a mentor as both businesses were on an upward curve.

He stayed in touch with his past clients and after about 6 months it became a one way communication; they no longer responded to calls or e-mails. He happened to meet one of his past clients at a grocery store and asked how the business was going. He was told that it has slowed down and he was struggling to get back on the right track. Curious about his other client he made an unannounced visit and heard a very similar story.

All consultants have a similar story to tell; we all have had clients quit their support system only to find that their business started to decline. Consultants bring a lot of support to a small business owner. The following are, what I consider, the most important needs that a consultant fulfills: accountability, objectivity, expertise, a different “look” at the business and new techniques and mindsets.

There is also another important benefit, an increase in the bottom line. Over 25-plus years of working with small businesses has validated these benefits to small business owners who listen and complete the action items as they are jointly developed.

This is not intended to be a sales presentation, but a realistic discussion as to what a small business needs to do to grow and to achieve profitability. The selection process for the selection of a consultant requires due diligence; most important is proof of expertise, testimonials by current clients, and a position of comfort and trust during the interview process.

Cost should not be a determining factor. Many good consultants will take a percentage of new businesses (clients) at reduced rates for a specific period of time.

The discipline of weekly meetings, the development of action items combined with the accountability factor will produce some amazing results. Of the many things in which you should make a business investment, your consultant should be at or near the top.

Treat yourself to future success and start working with a consultant today.

It may not be easy but it will be worth it!